Grandma's Recipe

The Porch serves classics with a modern flair

The Porch in downtown Sisters offers tasty comfort food in a warm atmosphere.

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Located in downtown Sisters, The Porch presents the image of a country cottage with a quaint and rustic motif. The property itself is open and inviting, with a well-groomed floral arrangement, and an actual front porch with a seating area.

That cozy countenance turns out to be fair advertising for what's inside—a homey, warm, and comforting ambiance. With hardwood floors throughout, the dining area is partitioned into multiple sections, with the bar located in the middle of the restaurant. The interior design and menu reinforce a traditional, home-cooked dining experience that flirts with new school gastronomic influences.

"My vision," says owner and head chef Jon Hosler, "is to have a local establishment that is comprised of a passionate and dedicated staff who are invested in the restaurant. And who can serve a delectable and versatile selection of culinary delights."

And while Hosler and staff are working daily to make that vision ever more palatable, to date, they have been successful in creating a destination dining location with a number of affable culinary attributes.

While there during a recent dinner with a friend, we were served a plethora of comfort food classics with a contemporary twist.

We started off with drinks: A gin and tonic—with the gin locally sourced from Oregon Spirit Distillers—and a pint of Calico amber ale from Ballast Point brewery. And we snacked on steamed clams while sipping.

Next, our entrées arrived. The first was a seafood pot pie, which actually ended up being more like a seafood stew, served with a flaky puff pastry on top. The tasty concoction was loaded with scallops, smoked salmon, shrimp, and an assortment of veggies served in a savory and light cream sauce. The second entrée was a special of the night: New York strip steak, served with blue cheese potato mashers and mixed veggies. The steak was cooked medium-well done, and to near perfection. It was one of the better steak experiences in Central Oregon, actually. And the meat was sourced from one of Central Oregon's local producers.

Finally, we topped it off with dessert, landing on the crème brûlée with a macadamia nut garnish. The custard presented with a pleasantly toasted sugary surface, which textured the dish with a delectable juxtaposition of layers. And the macadamias were a nice sweet and savory accoutrement.

Whether you find yourself in Sisters and are looking for a worthy spot to eat, or are searching for a Central Oregon destination dining experience that is off the beaten path, The Porch should be a part of your culinary journey.